The city had just begun to install gas street lighting and has agreed for the new building to be connected directly to the supply for the first time.

Bunsen realised that the direct gas supply would allow him to fit his labs with better and simpler heating devices for experiments than in the past. He needed to get the highest possible temperature with the minium amount of light.

He listed the design principles for a new cylinder-shaped burner to Mr Desaga who soon came up with a prototype.

Their design has been in use in labs around the world for more than 150 years.

But he missed the chance to grow rich on the innovation, never seeking a patent on the invention.